Best friends Robbie and Lizzie grew up together, survived trauma together, and are now building happy new lives side by side.

As piglets, they lived on a neglected property with dozens of other animals and lacked proper food, water, shelter, and care. Their rescuers brought them to the Finger Lakes SPCA, where they grew into social and active young pigs. However, as their facility cannot care for large-breed pigs long-term, the staff asked if Robbie and Lizzie could live at Farm Sanctuary.

While they were initially shy around other pigs, Robbie and Lizzie gradually settled in with each other’s support. They still do everything together, from approaching people for treats and attention to snuggling up in the barn each night. Love helped them heal and now allows them to thrive.

Jaime, Earl, and Ian are as close as brothers. They came to Farm Sanctuary together, along with a larger group of animals rescued from severe neglect. The goats were starving and kept inside filthy, overcrowded barns. Despite this mistreatment, the property owners advertised “humane” farm-to-table products.

We helped remove, foster, and place hundreds of animals, including this bonded trio. During their early days in our care, the boys hesitated to leave their barn, having never set foot outdoors. But their love gave them strength and helped them heal — and they’re now among the most playful members of the herd! They also love cuddling together, their bodies pressed against each other with their necks intertwined.

For more than a decade, Darla and Sam were the “it couple” of Farm Sanctuary’s Southern California shelter. They met when Darla came here in 2010; her former guardian had relinquished custody, and Animal Control placed her in our care. She quickly bonded with Sam, our eldest resident, and the two horses were inseparable until Sam’s passing early last year.

We moved Darla in with Joann and Zoe, the two other horses at our Acton sanctuary, so Darla wouldn’t be alone. While no one can ever replace Sam, having others around is helping Darla through her grief. We’ve even seen her sassy personality return, as she sometimes vies with Zoe for the top spot in their herd.

This Valentine’s Day, our hearts are with anyone, like Darla, who is mourning a loss or needs a little extra love.